Just days after the release of iOS 26, social media and Apple forums were abuzz with discussions about the Liquid Glass design. While some viewed it as a revolutionary step that adds a modern touch to the iPhone and a bold step toward the future, others saw it as a visual disaster that made their devices look like they just came out of a toy factory and were difficult to adapt to. What's the story behind this new design? And why has it sparked so much controversy?
The Liquid Glass design is a radical update to the interface in iOS 26, relying on visual effects resembling flowing liquid glass. Icons move like water bubbles, colors change with lighting, and light reflections make the screen appear alive and responsive to touch and movement. Apple designed this to make the iPhone more exciting and modern, especially after the flat design in iOS 18, which many were bored with.
This design isn't just a superficial change; it relies on advanced technologies such as light refraction and color diffusion, making the interface appear to be made of real glass that reacts to touch. However, after its release on September 17, 2025, negative reviews quickly spread on forums like MacRumors, Reddit, Apple support communities, and social media. Here are the most notable criticisms.
Main criticisms of liquid glass design
New designs always spark controversy, but this time it seems to be more intense. Browsing through forums and comments, a long list of complaints emerges, including:
◉ Many owners of older iPhones complain that animations appear slow, making the interface clunky. For example, one user says, "It feels like the device hesitates before responding to touch!"
◉ Constant changes in colors, shapes, and shades make the screen look cluttered and visually distracting, especially while reading or browsing, due to the transparency of the backgrounds and the poor color contrast. Imagine reading a notification, but it gradually disappears like a soap bubble. Beautiful, but annoying and distracting from some people's point of view.
◉ Many people find the design illogical, with the animations serving no practical purpose and appearing random. "Why does the icon have to move like a wave every time you touch it?" one person asked.
◉ Some said it had a childish, cartoonish design, likening it to a Barbie phone because of the bubbles and floating icons.
◉ Some sarcastic comments went further, arguing that the new design unnecessarily drains battery power and turns simple tasks into a maze of clicks and heavy graphics.
◉ Low contrast makes notifications and text difficult to read, and some icons look blurry. The design is also inconsistent; some elements are flat while others are glassy, which can be confusing.
These criticisms aren't just idle complaints; they reflect real concerns about how the design impacts everyday use. On Reddit, for example, negative posts have garnered thousands of comments in just a few days.
Media opinions on design
The controversy wasn't limited to ordinary users; even the media joined in. Headlines like "Boring Liquid Glass" or "Liquid Glass: The Optical Illusion That's Driving Me Crazy" all reflect people's frustration with the new design.
Another article says, "The liquid works, but the glass is broken," noting that the technology is technically impressive but impractical. This widespread coverage reinforces users' sense that their problem is shared.
Not everyone hates liquid glass!
Despite these negatives, there are those on the other side who fiercely defend this design, especially those who tried it in the beta phase. On the MacRumors forums, positive comments are interspersed with complaints, and the answer is often: "You'll get used to it with time." Here are some positive reviews that make the design seem like a gift:
Some users say the iPhone feels faster, with a clean, fun interface that brings the "boring" iPhone to a fresh, vibrant experience.
One of them said he was excited to use it: “Notifications appear as satisfying bubbles, and the number pad on the lock screen is like playing with bubbles! … and that’s awesome.” This comment sums up the fun side.
Some noted that after the flat interface in iOS 18, which some described as "depressing," they see iOS 26 as a major improvement. Advanced light refraction technology makes it "technically stunning" and brings back some of the classic touches of Apple's original design.
These insights remind us that adaptation takes time, and that the new design may soon become part of our daily routine.
iOS 7 Update: History Repeats Itself
This may all sound familiar, maybe because we've been through something similar before.
In 2013, when Apple released iOS 7, it suddenly abandoned the skeuomorphism design style that mimicked real shapes, in favor of a completely flat design, moving towards something completely simple.
At the time, criticism and complaints poured in about blurry icons, slow performance, and difficulty of use. “iOS 7’s design is ugly!” they said, with one commenting, “Does anyone hate iOS 7 as much as I do?” There were problems, but Apple didn’t back down. It stuck to its decision and gradually improved the design through iOS 8, 9, and 10 until everyone got used to it and the design became familiar and beloved. It later became a design standard, and we saw similar examples in Android phones, led by Oppo and Xiaomi, followed by other companies.
Liquid Glass may follow the same path: a shocking start, then successive improvements, then mass acceptance over time.
Today, we're seeing similar comments about "liquid glass," with users saying, "Remember iOS 7? We'll get used to that, too." Perhaps this design will shape the next decade of updates, with bug fixes and performance improvements.
How do you adapt to design if you feel uncomfortable?
If you're not used to the new interface, don't worry. There are simple solutions within Settings > Accessibility > Display & Text Size.
First, enable “Reduce Transparency” in the display settings, which reduces the glassy effects.
Second, enable the Increase Contrast option as well and increase the screen contrast to improve readability.
Together, these two options remove most of the new transparency, bringing the interface closer to the traditional design. Try them and you'll immediately notice the difference!
Ultimately, the "liquid glass" design in iOS 26 represents a bold step by Apple toward making the iPhone a more interactive and dynamic experience. Despite the harsh criticisms of slowness and distraction, there are positives that make it worth a try, especially considering what happened with iOS 7. With time, we'll likely get used to it, and perhaps even love it. The important thing is that Apple is listening to users and making improvements, as it always has.
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